Author Archives: bookjunkie

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.

Some Days I Can & Other Days I Just Can’t

I can be pretty hard on myself. I think I’m too lax, but that’s what my partner and mum tell me. I am trying desperately to regain my fitness. It gets harder as you’re aging and I suppose even harder … Continue reading

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Don’t Know How to Feel About This

I’m getting closer and closer to my father’s age, but he’ll never be any older than 61. It’s weird that if I stood next to him now, to strangers, at the very most he would look like an older brother … Continue reading

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Must Read: First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung

I’ve never been so fully engaged in a book. The last one was perhaps Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood. The parts of the book touching on the fear and pain of losing a father made me cry. I can’t recall … Continue reading

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Things People in Singapore say

Just some things I overheard when travelling on the MRT or sitting at a cafe. Often I don’t even want to hear these conversations, especially those of business folks who seem so overconfident and love the sound of their own … Continue reading

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Plant Based: Who Knew it Could Be so Yummy

I had never heard of plant based calamari before and did not expect it to taste so good and be as chewy as squid. The ambience at Little Farms Bar and Grill at Serangoon Gardens is pretty nice especially after … Continue reading

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#20. Simple Joys: Singapore being cooler because of all the trees and plants

It’s something we take for granted. The rest of Southeast Asia is much hotter due to the lack of trees, even though Singapore lies closer to the equator. We also have the advantage of being an island. The surrounding water … Continue reading

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An Introvert Who Likes People

I am not a good conversationalist. I like it when friendly strangers speak to me, but I always feel like I respond in an awkward manner. My partner tells me that I look approachable unlike him. I think I am … Continue reading

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No More Masks on Trains or Buses

I was nervous when I heard the news that from Valentines Eve, no less, the rule to wear masks was being removed. You’d think I should be jumping for joy. Back when the rule was imposed, old me would have … Continue reading

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I’m Concerned About Injuries

I wish I could push myself to the extreme the way I did without worry in my twenties. That’s one of the hardest parts about aging. I used to walk long distances and swim countless laps in the University pool. … Continue reading

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I Hope I Can Keep this Up

Finally woke up early again and was able to do my morning walk. Been feeling panicky lately, as I feel that with the psoriasis, it indicates that my immune system is not doing well. The steroids are not working and … Continue reading

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#19. Simple Joys: A Glimpse of Thaipusam and Devotees carrying Kavadis and Milk Pots

So glad my partner agreed to drive through Little India even with the traffic crunch. I really wanted a glimpse of the festivities. I truly respect the devotion of the devotees and was looking out for my cousin and her … Continue reading

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Finally Living Again in 2023 Post Covid

By living, I mean taking the bus and train more regularly as opposed to being stuck at home where you tend to be too sedentary. I honestly prefer these modes of transport to a taxi or car if I’m not … Continue reading

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#18. Simple Joys: A Dragon Dance

Just when I was thinking my life is so humdrum, I heard a cacophony of cymbals and drums and headed towards it. I felt so uplifted and blessed to be perfectly on time for a dragon dance. And in my … Continue reading

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Feel Like I Have Nothing Significant to Share Right Now

It is why I hardly write. I only write when I feel the compulsion. It can’t really be forced especially with regards to matters of the heart. Also I am now extremely self conscious about the oversharing I did shortly … Continue reading

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13 Days Into the New Year

This post will be all over the place as I cram thoughts about these several days into one post. I’m getting used to the psoriosis. I also now realise that the daivobet steroid gel has worked after a month. Some … Continue reading

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It’s Another New Year & I’m Feeling Hopeful

That’s exactly what I love about the start of the year. It gives me the possibility of renewal and hope. It was lovely to wake up to sweet new year texts from my aunties uncle and partner. Texts of today … Continue reading

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Psoriosis is Consuming Me

I know it’s tiresome to keep reading about this, but it is the bane of my existence right now. I couldn’t sleep the whole night. Why? Well, after the bleeding incident, I tried not to touch my scalp psoriosis scales … Continue reading

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Psoriosis Update: December 2022

Blood under my nails from half consciously peeling at my psoriosis plagued skin all night. Mostly my scalp and to my horror I feel a bald spot now. I’m doing this to myself and against my will. My only goal … Continue reading

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It’s So Easy to Fall Out of a Routine of Good Habits

I fell out of my routine since my last holiday. You see, my routine was very much a forced thing. I was waking up pre dawn, as early as 4.30am, even though I’m naturally a night owl, and going to … Continue reading

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Psoriosis November Update

It just keeps getting worse. Red rashes on my knees seem to have appeared overnight and I have red rashes all over my operation scars now. Encroaching onto my face too at the hairline and one on my forehead which … Continue reading

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Thankful for My Anxiety for One Reason

I never ever thought I’d actually be thankful for my anxiety. But there’s one reason. It confirms that I’m not a psychopath. If you can’t tell, I’ve been watching a lot of true crime. I’m fascinated by what would prompt … Continue reading

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Been Almost 7 Years Since that Cancer Diagnosis in 2016

My oncologist is so pleased every time I get a good tumour marker reading. She always tells me well done, although I honestly feel like I’ve done nothing. I just lay there. Everyone else did everything. Well I did try … Continue reading

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